The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially announced the UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants (AC) Recruitment 2026, opening doors for candidates aspiring to join India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) as Group A officers. This year, a total of 349 vacancies have been released, covering five prominent forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
With a blend of stringent eligibility criteria, a multi-stage selection process, and the promise of a prestigious career in India’s security forces, this recruitment drive is one of the most awaited opportunities for graduates aiming to serve the nation. The online application window started on 20th February 2026 and will remain open until 12th March 2026. Candidates interested in applying must do so through the official UPSC portal.
In this article, we provide a complete overview of the UPSC CAPF AC 2026 recruitment, including eligibility, age limits, selection process, application procedure, important dates, and more.
Overview of UPSC CAPF AC Recruitment 2026
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Assistant Commandants (Group A) in CAPFs (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB) |
| Total Vacancies | 349 Posts |
| Notification No. | 08/2026-CAPF |
| Application Start Date | 20th February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 12th March 2026 (till 18:00 hours) |
| Examination Date | 19th July 2026 |
| Age Limit | 20–25 years (as on 01-08-2026) |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent |
| Application Mode | Online only via UPSC website |
Important Dates
- Notification Release: 20th February 2026
- Online Application Start: 20th February 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 12th March 2026 (18:00 hours)
- Written Exam Date: 19th July 2026
- Written Exam Timing:
- Paper-I: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
- Paper-II: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Admit Card: Available last working day of preceding week of exam
- PST/PET: Conducted after written exam results
- Interview/Personality Test: Conducted after PST/PET
- Medical Test: After interview
Candidates are strongly advised to apply online early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
UPSC CAPF AC 2026 Vacancy Distribution
The 349 vacancies are distributed among the five central forces as follows:
| S.No | Force | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Border Security Force (BSF) | 108 |
| 2 | Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | 106 |
| 3 | Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) | 70 |
| 4 | Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) | 53 |
| 5 | Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | 12 |
| Total | – | 349 |
Note: The number of vacancies is tentative and may change. Reservations will be applied as per government norms. Additionally, 10% of total posts are reserved for ex-servicemen.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
To apply for UPSC CAPF AC 2026, candidates must be:
- Citizens of India.
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan may also be eligible with written consent from the Government of India.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 20 years (born not later than 01-08-2006)
- Maximum Age: 25 years (born not earlier than 02-08-2001)
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST: Up to 5 years
- OBC: Up to 3 years
- Ex-servicemen / Civilian Central Govt. employees: Up to 5 years
- SC/ST or OBC candidates who are also Ex-servicemen: Cumulative relaxation as per rules
Important: The date of birth mentioned in the Matriculation / Secondary School Leaving Certificate will be considered final. No other document will be accepted.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree from:
- A university incorporated by an Act of the Central or State Legislature
- Educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament
- Universities declared deemed under Section 3 of UGC Act, 1956
- Or equivalent qualifications recognized by the government
Note:
- Candidates who have appeared in the qualifying exam and are awaiting results are eligible to apply.
- Distance learning or part-time degrees are not considered.
- Professional/technical qualifications recognized as equivalent to a degree are acceptable.
Gender Eligibility
Both male and female candidates are eligible to apply for the post of Assistant Commandants.
Salary and Allowances
Candidates selected for Assistant Commandants (Group A) in CAPFs will receive:
- Salary and allowances as per Group A officers norms in Central Armed Police Forces.
- Additional benefits may include housing, medical, and other government allowances.
Exact pay scale details are not mentioned in the notification but will align with Group A officer standards in the respective forces.
Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / All Female Candidates | Exempted (No fee) |
Payment Mode:
- Net Banking
- Debit/Credit Cards (Visa / Master / RuPay)
- UPI Payment
Fee paid by any other mode or incomplete applications will be rejected.
Fee once paid will not be refunded.
Selection Process
The UPSC CAPF AC 2026 selection process is divided into four main stages:
Stage 1: Written Examination
Paper-I: General Ability & Intelligence (250 Marks)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Objective (MCQs)
- Subjects: Logical reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general science, Indian polity & economy, current events, history, geography
- Negative marking: 0.33 marks for wrong answers
Paper-II: General Studies, Essay & Comprehension (200 Marks)
- Duration: 3 hours
- Conventional / Descriptive
- Part A: Essay (80 Marks) – topics include modern Indian history, freedom struggle, geography, security, and human rights
- Part B: Comprehension & précis writing (120 Marks) – in English only
Candidates must qualify Paper-I to have Paper-II evaluated. Minimum qualifying marks apply.
Stage 2: Physical Standards Test (PST) / Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
Conducted for candidates who qualify the written exam.
Physical Standards:
| Gender | Height | Chest | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 165 cm | 81 cm (unexpanded) | 50 kg |
| Female | 157 cm | – | 46 kg |
Physical Efficiency Tests:
Men:
- 100m race: 16 sec
- 800m race: 3 min 45 sec
- Long jump: 3.5m (3 attempts)
- Shot put: 7.26 kg, 4.5m (3 attempts)
Women:
- 100m race: 18 sec
- 800m race: 4 min 45 sec
- Long jump: 3m (3 attempts)
Female candidates must submit a self-declaration regarding pregnancy before PST/PET.
Stage 3: Interview / Personality Test
- Conducted for candidates who qualify PST/PET
- Marks: 150
- NCC ‘B’ or ‘C’ certificate holders get special consideration
Stage 4: Medical Standards Test (MST)
- Eye sight, ear, nose, neck, teeth, and general health assessed
- Eye requirements: Better eye 6/6 or 6/9 (corrected), worse eye 6/12 or 6/9 (corrected)
- LASIK correction allowed under conditions
- Candidates declared unfit can appear before Review Medical Board
- Appeals to be submitted within 24 hours of MST results
How to Apply for UPSC CAPF AC 2026
The application process is completely online via. No other mode is permitted.
Four-step application process:
- Account Creation: One-time setup (common for all UPSC exams)
- Universal Registration Number (URN): Generated for tracking all UPSC applications
- Common Application Form (CAF): Candidate details, qualification, and photo upload
- Examination Specific Module: Payment, exam centre choice, force preference, and final submission
Documents Required:
- Passport-size photograph (.jpg, 20–200 KB)
- Signature (.jpg, 20–100 KB)
- Live photograph (captured during CAF)
- Photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter, Passport, Driving Licence)
- Date of Birth proof
- Educational certificates & mark sheets
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS)
- Ex-servicemen certificate (if applicable)
UPSC CAPF AC Recruitment 2026: Apply online for 349 Assistant Commandant posts. Check eligibility, age limit, and selection process. Learn more on UPSC Official Website and Employment News.
Candidates interested in government recruitments can also check other opportunities, such as the Aadhaar Operator & Supervisor Recruitment 2026 for detailed eligibility and application instructions.
